thank god there isn't a republican in sight for the next 7 years. can you imagine if Princess Bearclaw were president?...and having to explain to her what scotus was....my god she probably thinks its a male organ part.

Brennan and Marshall retired when George HW Bush was president, to be replaced by Souter and Thomas, which shifted the Court to the right.

White's replacement by Ginsburg shifted the Court to the left a little (Breyer is not as liberal as Blackmun so a slight shift back to the right).

Alito replacing O'Connor shifted the Court to the right a bit. (Roberts for Rehnquist seems to be somewhat of a wash).

I'd say the conservatives have had the upper hand and will continue to at least until after the next presidential election for judicial appointments.

It would be interesting if Souter's replacement, as well as possible replacements for Stevens and Ginsburg moved the liberal minority to the left. I don't see it going back as far left as Brennan and Marshall.